Nkrumah Bonner stitched stubborn partnerships with the tailenders to tire out the Englishmen and gain a lead of 62 runs as West Indies posts 373-9 with one wicket to spare.
Bonner manufactured his second test hundred by showcasing a doughty spirit against the fatal bowling line-up of England. He received a reprieve at 73 when Zak Crawley dropped a dipping bat-pad catch on Leach’s bowling.
A total of 171 runs for the loss of 5 wickets were scored in 90.1 overs bowled in the day’s play. West Indies will be the happier side as the match inches closer to the finish line.
Here’s how the 3rd day panned out:
West Indies started a bit rocky as their premier all-rounder Jason Holder was sent back to the pavilion in the 4th over of the day’s play.
Holder contributed 45 off 199, including 4 fours and a maximum before edging one off Stokes to hand a simple catch to Foakes.
With the Caribbeans being 105 runs still behind, Joe Root and his troops thought of securing a handsome lead.
England captain took the 2nd new ball to bundle out the West Indian innings as soon as possible.
However, Bonner and Joshua de Silva stood tall to prevent further setbacks and remained unbeaten before lunch. 69 runs were scored in the 26.1 overs bowled in the first session.
Root & company seemed determined to get rid of West Indies tailenders in the second session. They successfully removed de Silva and Joseph within the span of 11 runs.
However, Mark Wood sustained an injury, and Zak Crawley’s dropped catch didn’t help their cause in their bid to remove the set batsman Bonner.
Kemar Roach complimented Bonner to the best of his capabilities in his gritty innings of 15 off 89.
With Nkrumah Bonner on the verge of his second test ton, the session ended with West Indies securing an 11 runs lead with three batters to go.
Post-tea-break, Roach fell due to a judgement of error in the running. Ollie Pope threw a flat throw at the stumps from a backward point to bring an end to the frustrating stand of Bonner and Roach.
Meanwhile, Bonner (123 off 355) reached his second test hundred and continued his merry ways of scoring runs before departing on part-timer Dan Lawrence’s bowling.
West Indies concluded the day on 373-9 and will undoubtedly want to strengthen their stranglehold in the match on the 4th day.
